Attitude is paramount to happy living

Here we are folks, the Sunday before New Year's Day.

It's time to again return to thoughts of doing better... turning over a new leaf... resolving to get a fresh start... and, freeing ourselves from old patterns that weighted us down during 1992.

Let me make a suggestion.

Consider examining some of the ways you have been looking at the world around you and see if an alteration in your perspective can modify the outcomes in your life.

For example:

• Things that seem too good to be true are often just that, not true. You don't have to become a cynic to question the reality of some of the things you hear and see, especially those in the media. Success comes primarily from hard work. Don't quit your day job while waiting on the lotto drawing.

• Be assured it is virtually impossible to please everyone. Those who continue to try are two hips short of a hip, hip, hooray!

• Trying to motivate and inspire some people is like trying to make unleavened bread rise. Some people simply can't be happy unless they are piling abuse upon themselves, emptying whole dump truck loads at a time.

• Don't invest in something you don't understand. There wouldn't be a sucker born every minute if there were not a whole army of flim-flam men born every second.

• Don't expect everyday to be a great day. Most days can be good days... some days can be great days... and, some days are just flat bummers. When you turn up with a bummer, don't assume that you are on a roll. Tomorrow or maybe the next day is going to be better, especially if you decide that it is going to be better. It's always your choice.

• Give yourself a pat on the back whenever possible. It's unlikely that very many others have or will take the time to do it for you. You can be your own quiet and personal cheering section without incorporating so much hot air that you begin to rise.

• You can be flexible and tolerant and also be principled and strong in character. Prejudice and stereotypical thinking leads to a world where the sun rarely rises and the nights are without stars.

• Don't listen for only what you want to hear and recognize only what you want to see. Growth comes with change. Taking a risk doesn't mean you have to live on the edge.

• Although there are a few absolutes in life... there aren't many. End points may be stop and go, black and white, on and off, light and dark. There are, however, whole worlds of possibilities between these points. Don't get stuck at the extremes.

Make 1993 the year of new possibilities. Decide to rub your eyes and look again... clear your ears and listen anew... open your mind and dream what might be.

Copyright c 1992 Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D.